King Charles met former aide for farewell audience despite ‘cash-for-honours’ scandal

The audience was carried out discreetly, with the former aide “smuggled in and out of the royal apartments in a military-style operation”.

Mr Fawcett stepped down as chief executive of The King’s Foundation, formerly The Prince’s Foundation, in 2021 following allegations that he had offered to help secure a knighthood and British citizenship for a Saudi billionaire donor.

The Metropolitan Police investigated the claims but confirmed in 2023 that no further action would be taken.

A Palace source told The Mail on Sunday: “While we wouldn’t comment on individual private meetings, His Majesty often holds farewell audiences for departing senior staff.

“Some of these can be subject to delay, due to diary pressures, circumstance or ill health.”

The meeting marked the end of a decades-long working relationship.

Mr Fawcett began his royal service as a footman at Buckingham Palace and went on to become one of the then-Prince of Wales’s most trusted aides.

The King once remarked: “I can manage without just about anyone, except for Michael.”

Mr Fawcett had previously left royal service twice before, including in 2003 when he was accused, and later cleared by an inquiry, of selling royal gifts while serving as the King’s personal assistant.

It later emerged that he had accepted valuable presents from outside contacts.

After leaving the Royal Household, Mr Fawcett continued to work closely with the then-Prince, managing events and acting as a private consultant.

He reportedly received a cash severance package and later returned to the royal fold when he was appointed chief executive of The Prince’s Foundation in 2018.

An independent review in 2021 found he had coordinated with intermediaries over honours nominations linked to Saudi billionaire Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, a donor to the charity.

Earlier this year, the Scottish Charity Regulator concluded that Mr Fawcett’s actions had exposed The King’s Foundation to “substantial risk” by failing to ensure valuable paintings loaned to the organisation were insured, but determined that his behaviour did not amount to misconduct.

Mr Fawcett’s farewell marked the end of a professional partnership that spanned more than four decades.

He joined royal service as a Buckingham Palace footman before rising to become one of King Charles’s most trusted aides.

Over the years, he managed everything from personal events to major charity functions for the then-Prince of Wales.

Despite several controversies, including the 2003 inquiry, he retained the King’s confidence until his resignation in 2021.

The King is known to value loyalty deeply, and their relationship endured even after public scrutiny.

Following his departure, The King’s Foundation introduced stricter oversight on donations and honours procedures.

Mr Fawcett has kept a low profile since leaving his post and is said to be living quietly outside London.

The Windsor Castle meeting is understood to have been a formal farewell rather than a sign of renewed employment.